Bringing IP technology to the Smart Grid

Very interesting post at Earth2tech titled "A Dozen Things the Smart Grid Can Learn from the Internet" and authored by Balaji Natarajan at CapGemini. We agree with most of the ideas listed by the author, specially these two:

2. Defined Communication Protocols: The smart grid needs to standardize around a set of protocols and, importantly, define a key protocol for smart-grid communications. It could even take a cue from, and if necessary re-architect, the Open Systems Interconnection Reference Model to adapt to the “Internet of Things.” In the case of the Internet, the Internet Protocol Suite (also referred to as TCP/IP) enabled a common inter-network protocol [...]
3. Security & Encryption: The smart grid community needs to publish detailed specifications for different levels of security and encryption standards. For secure communication purposes, the Internet leveraged data encryption standards, including variants of Digital Encryption Standard (DES) as endorsed by the National Institute of Science & Technology (NIST). [...]

The good thing is that we already have a good number of standard communication protocols and security/encryption algorithms to choose from; we just need to ensure that products designed for the new Smart Grid use them.

DS2 is doing its part to facilitate this: all DS2 powerline chips for Smart Grid applications come with an embedded network stack with full support for the most popular IP protocols (TCP, UDP, HTTP, TELNET, FTP, TFTP, SNMP, DHCP) and provide the strongest encryption available in the industry, with options for Triple-DES, AES-128 and AES-256.

Using DS2 Smart Grid products, utilities can securely assign an IP address to every smart meter, transformer and substation and use standard TCP/IP-based management tools to control their networks.

(Provided there are any IP addresses left, that is...)

Related posts on Smart Grid:

• IBEC and IBM bring Smart Grid technology to Washington Island
• Securing the SmartGrid using DS2 powerline technology
• Application: Deploying "Really Smart" SmartGrid with DS2 high-speed powerline networking
• DS2: Driving Industry Standards

Request more information on DS2's products for IP-based SmartGrid applications

Comments

[Simon Tong]

Bringing IP technology to smart grid for triple play, internet, video access are all possible and should be 'hot' in Asia shortly. International starndards are all well defined. Advanced HAN solutions are available too but just a matter of time and cost for home users.

Simon
simontong72@gmail.com